Milpitas High School Trojans traveled to Wilcox High School Chargers of Santa Clara last Friday, Oct. 15, for a Santa Clara Valley Athletic League, De Anza Division encounter. Milpitas, a young team with only 10 seniors, is trying to qualify for the Central Coast Section (CCS) playoffs so they can defend their 2009 Division I (large schools by enrollment) Championship.

After Wilcox returned the opening kickoff to midfield, Milpitas held the Chargers to a three-and-out punt and started its first possession on the Milpitas 25 yard line. Trojan's first play from scrimmage saw junior wide receiver Jordan Lockett break off a 65-yard run to the Wilcox 10 yard line where it was first and goal. However, the Charger defense held and Milpitas' Ramiro Ceja kicked a 30 yard field goal to give the Trojans a 3-0 lead with two minutes gone in the first quarter.

Ensuing drive by Wilcox saw the hosts move the ball to the Milpitas 16 yard line where they had fourth and inches. On the next play, the Chargers not only got the first down, but they got a 16 yard touchdown run by Michael Roman. Point after made it 7-3 at the 5:35 mark of quarter one.

Second quarter saw the teams trade punts before Milpitas junior quarterback Tony Sauceda attempted a pass from his own 37 yard line and Wilcox cornerback Kris Dipko intercepted it and returned it to the Trojan 2. From there, Roman ran it in for his second score and the PAT made it 14-3 with 5:24 to play in the half.

Following another Sauceda interception, Wilcox picked up a first down at their own 49 before Charger quarterback, Nick Morehead hit running back Jordan Gibson with a 51 yard scoring pass at the 4:43 mark to increase the lead to 21-4.

Not content to sit on a 17 point first half lead, Wilcox held Milpitas to a three-and-out punt and on the Chargers next offensive play, Morehead found wide receiver, Conor Dunn with a 53-yard touchdown pass. This gave Wilcox a 28-3 lead at 3:03 of the second quarter and into halftime.

Milpitas received the second half kickoff and Trojan senior wide receiver Dela Harlley returned it 99 yards for a TD. However, senior Michael Garcia's point after was blocked and the score was now 28-9.

After Milpitas again held Wilcox to another three-and-out following the kickoff, the Trojans turned the momentum back to the Chargers when Milpitas was called for a 15 yard roughing the kicker penalty to give Wilcox a first down near midfield. Not letting an opportunity get away, the Chargers drove the 50-plus yards for another score and a 35-9 lead at 7:52 of the third.

With 3:52 to go in the third Harlley intercepted a Morehead pass and returned it to the Wilcox 2 yard line from where Sauceda scored on a quarterback sneak. Sauceda then connected with junior wide receiver Rodney McKenzie for a two-point conversion to cut the lead to 35-17.

That is how the game would end as Milpitas record fell to 3-2-1 overall and 1-2 in league. Next week the Trojans host undefeated Palo Alto High School at 7:30 p.m. According to Milpitas Head Coach Kelly King, "We play well against Palo Alto. Our last three games (at Gunn of Palo Alto and home to Saratoga and Los Altos) will define our season."

On Thursday, Oct. 14, California School for the Deaf Eagles hosted Bay Football League rival, Valley Christian High School of Dublin. After starting the season 4-0 in non-league play, the Eagles dropped its league opener 23-0 to the Harker School of San Jose. With a week off to regroup, CSD hoped to rebound but instead ran into a buzz saw and fell to VC, 55-6. Only score for CSD came on a 17-yard TD pass from Carlos Lopez to Steve La. Eagles are now 4-2, 0-2 and travel to CSD Riverside next Saturday, Oct. 23.

Moreau Catholic High School Mariners hosted Bay Shore Athletic League (BSAL) rival Albany High School, last Friday, Oct. 15, and came away with a 65-14 thrashing of the visitors. Senior running back, Joey Fiandor led Moreau with three, first-quarter touchdowns. Michael Truong also ran for 99 yards on seven carries. Mariners are now 4-1-1, 2-1 and will host BSAL opponent St. Patrick-St. Vincent High School of Vallejo this Friday, Oct. 22, at 7 p.m.

Hayward High School Farmers traveled to Burrell Field last Friday to play Hayward Area Athletic League (HAAL) foe San Leandro High School. In a game that was decided in the last minute of play, the Farmers fell 28-27 as San Leandro completed a 34-yard touchdown pass with 58 seconds left in the game. Hayward was led by John Hughes who gained 53 yards on 11 carries and also caught a 48-yard TD pass. Farmers are now 3-3, 2-1 and travel across town this Friday to take on HAAL and city rival Tennyson High School Lancers, 3:30 p.m. at Prince-Serrano Stadium.

Last Saturday, Oct. 16, Tennyson traveled to San Lorenzo High School Rebels in an HAAL contest and improved to 4-2, 2-1 as they defeated the Rebels, 41-22. Lancers were led by quarterback Pablo Magallanes who was 9-14 passing with two interceptions and a touchdown. Larry Lloyd rushed for 53 yards on six carries.

Also last Saturday, Mt. Eden High School Monarchs were to have visited HAAL's Bishop O'Dowd High School of Oakland. However, the Monarchs forfeited the game and saw their losing streak reach 10 over the last two years. Mt. Eden's forfeit dropped them to 0-6, 0-3 for 2010. This Friday, the Monarchs are scheduled to host Castro Valley High School at 3:45 p.m. in league play.